It is proposed to take Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13 and 6. It is also proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) statements on No. 12, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 12.15 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statement of the Taoiseach and of the main spokespersons for the Fianna Fáil Party and the Progressive Democrat Party shall not exceed 20 minutes in each case, (ii) the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; and (iii) the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be called upon not later than 12 noon to make a concluding statement which shall not exceed 15 minutes; and (2) the proceedings on the Second Stage of No. 13, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 2 p.m. and any division demanded thereon shall be postponed until immediately after the Order of Business on Wednesday, 5 July 1995.
Order of Business.
Is the proposal for dealing with No. 12 agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 13 agreed? Agreed.
I asked the Tánaiste some weeks ago about the implementation of the recommendations of the Costello report and the fundraising for charitable and other purposes Bill. A number of groups outside the House have continually raised this with the Opposition. Will the Taoiseach tell us the latest position on the Bill and give an assurance that the Bill will be completed in time for the autumn session?
Work is at a preliminary stage. I am not in a position to say when the Bill will be ready. The Minister for Justice has already given a public indication that it is being worked upon.
Yes, there was a seminar recently at which all the charities were represented.
There is great concern among all the charitable bodies. I just ask that the Bill be moved on during the recess. It is major legislation, the consequences of which the Taoiseach may not be aware. The Costello report is a good report which affects all the charitable organisations in the country.
It was published in 1984.
I recollect asking the Government of the time about progress on this issue when I was on that side of the House. This Government is relatively recently in office and is taking action on the matter. The House will recollect that the Minister of State, Deputy Burton, has made an extensive statement on the subject and the Minister for Justice has indicated a seminar is taking place. This report is old and it was a long time lying on the desk of previous Ministers. It will be delt with by this Government.
I am well aware of the history of the legislation. I am not asking about what happened under the last Government or any other Government. I know far more about the Costello report than the Taoiseach will ever know. He should get on with preparing the legislation.
Fianna Fáil did nothing about it.
This matter should not give rise to debate now.
I think it would be fair to say that the Deputy must have acquired his knowledge of the report by sitting on it.
In the course of the debate yesterday on the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, the Opposition pointed out that the amendments to which the Minister was referring had not been received by this side of the House. We dealt with them on the occasion, but the Minister said that they had been posted on Friday last. When I arrived home yesterday evening I received the amendments postmarked 27 June, which is not Friday last. The Minister may have misunderstood the position, but he misled the House by telling it that that information was in the hands of Deputies in advance of the debate.
I want to make it clear that what we said was true. The envelope was there when I went home yesterday evening with that postal date on it. If the Minister wishes he may look at it later.
That is gross inefficiency.
Does the Taoiseach intend to intervene on behalf of the Irish Press workers who have been locked out for over four weeks without payment?
The Deputy knows the Chair will be happy to facilitate him on that matter at the appropriate time.
He will not release the report or pay them social welfare.
They are treated shabbily.
The Deputy knows that he is not in order. I presume Deputy Callely wishes to raise something appropriate to the Order of Business.
Is it still intended to introduce a Bill on the organisational structures of the health boards? If so, what is the likely timescale?
It is intended to do so. I recollect that Deputy O'Hanlon, when he was Minister for Health, promised this Bill. It has been a long time in gestation but it will be introduced by the Government.
Has the Government any plans to assist Irish exporters to the UK given that the IR£ is at 103p——
I am calling the first item.
Will the Taoiseach reply?
The matter raised is not in order.
We are running out of time and a statement from the Government is required.
Do not seek to impose upon me or the House something that is clearly not in order.
Irish exporters are under pressure and all we have is silence from the Government. Does the Taoiseach intend to respond?
Order, please.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the Truancy Bill will be published?
When Fianna Fáil Deputies come back from Wicklow.
The legislation is at an early stage of preparation and we expect it will be taken later this year at the earliest but probably next year.